Families annoyed at stationery card

A Papakura primary school's scheme to simplify payment for stationery and school trips has upset some parents.

Decile two Cosgrove Primary School has introduced a "Coscard" laminated card, costing $75 a child. The card shows that the child's stationery and some school activities have been paid for.

But by the end of the first day of the first term yesterday, principal Vicky Joplin realised she had to explain the card further.

"I am going to have to do more ... just to make it really explicit to parents as to what the costs cover."

The school board of trustees decided last year it would not ask for a school donation this year, but instead introduced the card to show that parents had paid for stationery, photocopying, trips and shows.

The $75 figure is based on the cost of activities over the past three years.

But parent Sharon McLeod said she felt parents should have the option of buying stationery themselves and that they should get a breakdown of how the $75 was spent.

"They do not go on that many trips. The way I see it is that if they are going to charge for a year's worth of trips they need to write down exactly when the kids are going and where so we can see if it's worth it."

She complained of stationery being taken from children yesterday.

"Kids seem to be supplying the school with stationery as well."

Vicky Joplin said the card was not issued to parents but was kept at school so that teachers had a record that things had been paid for.

And she said stationery was collected from children for a good reason.

"If you gave six pencils to some of our children they would all be used up by morning tea time ... We have to track equipment so carefully. It just dissolves here."

She said it took hours of organisation to make things work at the school.

"The idea that we might be ripping people off is just ridiculous."